Wheat Bran Monthly Update 2026-02

In 2025, Russia's bran production is preliminarily estimated at 2.2-2.3 million tons, driven by flour output and export dynamics. Domestic consumption remains around 400 thousand tons annually, primarily by feed and compound feed producers, but demand from the food industry is growing due to trends in healthy and functional nutrition, increasing the use of bran in bakery products, snacks, and dairy. Bran production reached 2.3 million tons in 2024, up 8.9% from 2023 and 39.5% from 2021, with wheat bran comprising over 80% of output. While physical export volumes slightly declined in the first 11 months of 2025, export value rose 24% due to a 30% increase in average prices, largely driven by demand from Turkey, Russia’s largest bran market. New trade protocols with China now allow Russia to export wheat bran there, enhancing competition with Kazakhstan. Producer prices have stabilized in late 2025, supported by increased domestic supply and stock growth, while opportunities remain to boost profitability through export diversification and deeper processing into high-value food ingredients.

In 2025, Russia's bran production is projected at 2.2-2.3 million tons, driven by flour output and export supplies, with wheat bran comprising over 80% of total production. Domestic consumption remains around 400,000 tons annually, primarily for feed and compound feed, but food industry demand is growing due to trends in healthy and functional nutrition. Although physical export volumes slightly declined from January to November 2025 compared to 2024, export value rose by 24% due to a 30% increase in average prices, largely driven by demand from Turkey, Russia's largest bran market. New trade protocols with China now allow Russia to export wheat bran there, enhancing competition with Kazakhstan. Producer prices stabilized in late 2025 amid increased domestic supply and stock growth, while opportunities exist to boost profitability through export diversification and deep processing of bran into high value-added food ingredients.

Spanish researchers have demonstrated that incorporating almond shells, a by-product of almond cultivation, as an insoluble fiber source in weaned piglet feed improves growth performance and intestinal health. In a study with 192 Duroc piglets, feeds containing coarsely ground almond shells led to higher feed intake, better feed conversion, and increased production of beneficial fatty acids in the gut compared to traditional wheat bran. The findings suggest that almond shells not only promote piglet growth and microbiome development but also offer an ecological and economic opportunity to valorize an underutilized agricultural by-product in Spain, the largest almond producer in Europe.

The wheat market in Southern Brazil is experiencing price increases driven by restricted supply of higher quality wheat and strong international demand, particularly due to drought conditions affecting U.S. winter crops. Despite depreciation in wheat bran prices caused by competition from soybean meal and advancing summer corn harvest, wheat flour prices remain stable amid gradually recovering demand. Approximately 80% of the Brazilian wheat crop has been marketed, with exports surpassing initial projections, supported by FOB prices around US$232 per ton for 12.5% protein wheat. Regional variations include lower prices for lower quality wheat in Santa Catarina and selective purchasing by mills in Paraná. Futures markets show volatility influenced by weather forecasts and global export adjustments, with Ukraine raising its export estimates and U.S. shipping inspections exceeding expectations. Overall, the combination of limited domestic supply, robust exports, and climatic factors in the U.S. will continue to shape wheat market dynamics in Brazil in the near term.

International wheat prices have surged due to drought conditions affecting winter crops in the United States, a trend that has influenced the market in Rio Grande do Sul. The state's wheat prices have risen further because of limited supply, particularly of higher quality wheat. Meanwhile, wheat bran prices continue to decline, pressured by competition from alternative animal feed ingredients like soybean meal and the progressing summer corn harvest. Flour prices have remained relatively stable, with demand gradually recovering but not yet providing strong market support.

Brazil's wheat production in 2026 is projected to decline by 12.3% to 6.9 million tons due to reduced planted area and lower productivity, with average yields falling 7.5% to 2,978 tons per hectare. Domestic wheat prices remain stable but face pressure from competitive imports, particularly from Argentina, which has exported 9.4 million tons early in the 2025/26 season—87% above the five-year average—making Brazilian mills increasingly reliant on cheaper Mercosur wheat. This influx limits the appreciation of national wheat prices, especially in southern regions like Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, where storage constraints and quality concerns affect market dynamics. Despite rising international wheat futures driven by geopolitical tensions and weather issues, ample global supplies and high stocks curb significant price increases. The Brazilian Central Bank monitors these developments closely, as controlled wheat and derivative prices help moderate food inflation and support the agri-food industry's cost structure.

The wheat market in Brazil's Southern Region is experiencing a cautious pace with selective demand, primarily favoring higher quality and longer-term contracts. Limited storage space in mills has slowed activity, with most significant volumes scheduled for April and May loading. Prices for wheat vary between R$1,150 and R$1,250 at mills, while imported wheat is quoted around US$240 FOB at Rio Grande port. Producers in the region are considering reducing wheat planting area in favor of corn for the next crop. In Paraná, local wheat supply is limited and quality concerns persist, especially regarding Argentine wheat, which is priced between US$245 and US$248 CIF Paranaguá.

The wheat market in Brazil's Southern Region is experiencing limited activity with a moderate pace of negotiations, driven by concerns over product quality and supply-demand dynamics. Small volume deals dominate, with mills maintaining adjusted stocks and showing cautious buying behavior due to limited storage capacity. Prices for higher quality wheat, particularly improving types, remain more attractive, with old crop improving wheat trading around R$1,200 FOB last week. Imported wheat prices hover near US$240 per Rio Grande post, while local producers in Santa Catarina and Paraná face challenges in finding buyers, prompting some to consider reducing wheat acreage in favor of corn. Overall, the market anticipates possible price increases in the coming months amid constrained supply and quality issues, especially regarding Argentine wheat.

In 2025, the Siberian Federal District significantly increased its exports of grain crops, oilseeds, legumes, and feed products compared to 2024. Grain exports reached 3.8 million tons, with wheat, barley, buckwheat, oats, and corn showing notable growth, especially corn with a 31-fold increase. Oilseed exports exceeded 1 million tons, led by rapeseed, sunflower, flax, and soybeans, with the Altai Krai region accounting for 57% of these shipments. Legume exports rose by 27%, dominated by peas, with China as the largest buyer. Feed product exports grew by 25%, primarily wheat bran and rapeseed meal, with China and Kazakhstan as key markets. Altai Krai and Novosibirsk Oblast remained the top exporting regions across these categories, expanding their international reach to multiple countries including China, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and others.

To prevent diarrhea in newborn piglets, sows' diets are strategically reduced by 25-30% a week before farrowing and by 50% two to three days prior, with only water given on the day of farrowing. Post-farrowing feeding begins with small amounts of mash supplemented with wheat bran, oat chaff, or compound feed enriched with chalk and salt, gradually increasing to normal levels by day five to seven. Immunization of sows through vaccination and administration of hyperimmune antitoxic and polyvalent immune sera targeting pathogens such as escherichia, rotavirus, and salmonella is crucial. Additionally, the use of anatoxins, phages, prebiotics, and probiotics helps inhibit pathogenic growth and enhance piglet resistance. Early therapeutic intervention is emphasized if diarrhea occurs to ensure piglet health and reduce mortality.